So, what, you think you're better than Batman? The Caped Crusader's out there protecting an entire city without packing heat but you can't defend your little abode without a gun? For shame! Here are four methods for protecting you and yours without exercising the Second Amendment. »2/11/13 3:20pm 2/11/13 3:20pm

Sometimes a sneak attack is the best way to fight off a would-be assailant. Pulling an obvious can of pepper spray out of your pocket or purse immediately tips them off that they're about to be blasted. But they'll be none-the-wiser if you pulled out this innocuous-looking lighter. »4/18/12 2:20pm 4/18/12 2:20pm

Smoke rings from a toy gun don't do much more than entertain a child. But by giving them an electrical charge, a company called Battelle has discovered a way to make them more useful for firefighting and even crowd control. »3/03/12 11:00am 3/03/12 11:00am

Of all the questionable iPhone cases I've seen, the Smart Guard certainly raises more than just a few eyebrows. It's designed to protect both the phone with a durable case, and the user with a can of pepper spray. »2/21/12 10:10am 2/21/12 10:10am

When Lieutenant John Pike casually hosed down a line of seated protesters with pepper spray, a lot of weird stuff immediately followed. No, we're not talking about the evolution of the meme. Or even the nationwide backlash. »11/22/11 11:00am 11/22/11 11:00am

We're awaiting confirmation from UC-Davis police, but after examining photos and videos of the incident, this is what we believe campus police used against the Occupy Wall Street protesters at UC Davis this weekend. It's nasty. »11/21/11 1:19pm 11/21/11 1:19pm

This is a cop training video, showing future pepper spray wielders the pain and reality of getting sprayed. But a more sinister interpretation could be that future criminals are growing tolerant to pepper spray so no one can stop them. »12/18/10 6:00pm 12/18/10 6:00pm

At first glance, the self-contained Burglar Blaster security system seems neat. It's quick to set up, covers up to 2,000 square feet, and will stop intruders with a shower of pepper spray. Nothing could go wrong with that, right? »7/27/10 5:10pm 7/27/10 5:10pm

Aside the fact that it's easy as balls to spot from a mile away thanks to its impressive heft and blue hue, Domonique Torrence's Spider-Man-inspired pepper spray bracelet comes close to being a useful idea. It's loaded with pepper spray cartridges, so you just slam the button in your palm to disperse the mild irritant… »11/01/07 6:40pm 11/01/07 6:40pm

You'd think rich ladies would be the target of muggings more than poor ladies, hence, this Swarovsky crystal-embedded pepper spray. But then again, rich ladies don't usually venture into lousy neighborhoods. But if they did, and they were carrying this, wouldn't it lead to a mugging? »8/25/06 8:24pm 8/25/06 8:24pm

For females or even males there is always a chance of being attacked in a dark alley behind your favorite shady bar. This small and cheap ($13) gadget can trick the attacker into thinking you are prettying up for them when really they will just get a load of pepper spray in the eye. »7/10/06 3:43pm 7/10/06 3:43pm